Gate latch assembly

ABSTRACT

A latch assembly for a hinged double gate structure which permits opening of one gate while the other gate remains latched in closed position or opening of both gates simultaneously. The latch assembly has a latch rod slidably supported by brackets to be attached to the outer vertical edge of one gate for vertical endwise movement of the lower rod end into and from latching engagement in a latch socket or the like embedded in the ground to releasably latch the gate in closed position. Pivoted on the upper end of the rod is a latch yoke which is swingable to and from a latching position wherein the yoke is disposed to straddle the outer edge of the other gate when in closed position to latch the latter gate closed. This latch yoke may be retracted from latching position to release the latter gate for opening while the remaining gate remains latched in closed position by the latch rod. The latch yoke and rod may be retracted from latching position simultaneously to release both gates for opening. The latch rod and yoke may be locked in latching position to lock both gates in closed position.

1.11] 3,857,593 Dec. 31, 1974 GATE LATCH ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: George 0. Lening, 1867 S.

Valencia, Rowland Heights, Calif. 91745 [22] Filed: May 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 365,255

[52] US. Cl. 292/5, 49/366 [51] Int. Cl. E05c 5/02 [58] Field of Search 292/5, 68; 213; 49/366 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,620,l34 3/1927 Schley 292/2'13x 2,137,654 ll/l938 Reis 292/5 2,940,790 6/1960 Ingalls et al 49/366 X Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Boniard I. Brown [57] ABSTRACT A latch assembly for a hinged double gate structure which permits opening of one gate while the other gate remains latched in closed position or opening of both gates simultaneously. The latch assembly has a latch rod slidably supported by brackets to be attached to the outer vertical edge of one gate for vertical endwise movement of the lower rod end into and from latching engagement in a latch socket or the like embedded in the ground to releasably latch the gate in closed position. Pivoted on the upper end of the rod is a latch yoke which is swingable to and from a latching position wherein the yoke is disposed to straddle the outer edge of the other gate when in closed position to latch the latter gate closed. This latch yoke may be retracted from latching position to release the latter gate for opening while the remaining gate remains latched in closed position by the latch rod. The latch yoke and rod may be retracted from latching position simultaneously to release both gates for opening. The latch rod and yoke may be locked in latching position to lock both gates in closed position.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing-Figures 1 GATE LATCH ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to hinged double gate structure of the kind having two gates hingably upported for swinging between open and closed positions. The invention relates more particularly to a novel latch assembly for such a gate structure.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art Hinged double gate structures are well known and commonly used as closures for relatively wide access openings, such as a driveway opening through a wall or fence. A gate structure of this kind has two gates hinged along one vertical edge, referred to herein as their inner edges, to vertical supports located at opposite sides of the access opening to be closed. These gates are swingable independently between open andclosed positions. In closed positions, the gates are disposed in edge to edge generally coplanar relation across the access opening with theirremaining vertical edges referred to herein as their outer edges, adjacent one another.

Double gate structures of this kind are latched in closed position by a latch assembly. The most widely used latch assembly for this purpose has a latch rod slidably and rotatably supported by brackets which are attached to the outer edge of one gate. The lower end of this rod is insertable into a latch socket or the like embedded in the ground in a position to receive the rod when its respective gate is in closed position. The latch rod and one rod bracket have coacting anti-rotation means which engage to lock the rod against rotation in I its longitudinal axis when the rod is disposed in latching position in the socket. These anit-rotation means disengage to release the rod for rotation when the rod is elevated or retracted from latching position.

Rigidly joined to the upper end ofthe latch rod is a latch yoke having. spaced latch arms extending transversely of the rod When the latch rod is disposed in latching position with its anti-rotation means engaged, the yoke arms extend away from and generally parallel to the plane of the gate mounting the rod. In this position of the yoke, its latching position, the yoke arms are disposed to straddle the outer edge of the other gate when it is in closed position.

With the gates closed and both the latch rod and yoke in latching position, the latch assembly latches both gates closed. The gates are released to open by raising the latch rod from latching position. This action releases the gate mounting the latch rod by virtue of retraction ofthe rod from the latch socket and releases the other gate by virtue of release of the rod and yoke to rotate and thereby enable disengagement of the latter gate from the yoke. I

The double gate latch assembly of the kind described has one disadvantage which this invention overcomes. The disadvantage referred to resides in the fact that opening of one gate only while the other gate remains latched in closed position is difficult to accomplish, at least with one hand, and requires several motions. Thus, opening of one gate only requires initial elevation of the latch rod from latching position, swinging of the latter gate from latching engagement with the then freely rotatable latch yoke, and return of the yoke and rod to latching position. In the course of opening the latch rod, is also released ,to open with the result that the latter gate must be either held in closed position during or returned to closed position after opening of the one gate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved double gate latch assembly of this invention is similar to the existing latch assembly just described in that the improved latch assembly has a latch rod slidably supported by brackets to be attached to the outer edge of one gate. Mounted on the upper end of this rod is a latch yoke for straddling the outer edge of the other gate when the gates are in closed position. The latch rod is vertically movable to and from a latching position wherein its lower end is disposed for latching engagement in a latch socket or the like embedded in the ground.

In contrast to the conventional latch assembly, however, the latch rod is keyed against rotation about its longitudinal axis throughout the range of endwise movement of the rod relative to its supporting brackets. Also, the latch yoke is pivotally attached to the upper end of the latch rod on a transverse pivot axis of the rod. When the rod is mounted along the outer edge of one gate, the yoke pivot axis is generally normal to the plane of the gate and the yoke arms generally parallel this plane.

When the gate structure is latched closed, the lower end of the latch rod engages in the ground-embedded latch socket to latch closed the gate which mounts the rod. The latch yoke extends horizontally away from the gate which mounts the rod and straddles the outer edge of the other gate. Since the latch rod is restrained against rotation, the latter gate is then also latched closed. Means are provided for locking the latch rod and yoke in these latching positions and thereby locking the gates closed.

The gate straddled by the latch yoke is released for opening without unlatching the other gate by simply swinging the yoke from its horizontal latching position. Both gates are released for opening simultaneously by retracting both theyoke and latch bar from latching position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a double gate structure mounting a latch assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the latch assembly; and

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line: 33 in 'FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The drawings illustrate a double gate structure 10 including an improved latch assembly 12 according to the invention. Gate structure 10 includes a pair of gates 3, 24 closely adjacent one another. During opening, the gates swing away from one another to open positions transverse to the plane of FIG. 1. The latch assembly 12 permits latching or latching and locking of both gates in closed position, opening of gate 16 without unlatching of gate 14, or opening of both gates simultaneously.

To these ends, the latch assembly 12 comprises a normally vertical latch rod 16 slidably and non-rotatably supported by upper and lower brackets 28, 30. These brackets have means 32 for attaching the brackets to the outer edge 24 of one gate 14, 16, in this instance to the outer edge of gate 14, in such a way that the latch rod 26 extends along and generally parallel to the edge.

As noted earlier and shown in the drawings, the partic-' ular gates shown have a chain link construction. Thus, each gate has a rectangluar frame 34 constructed of metal tubes or pipes and a chain link panel 36 secured about its edges to the frame. The bracket attaching means 32 comprise essentially clamps which encircle the outer member 38 of the frame 34 of gate 14. It will be immediately apparent thatthe brackets may be equipped with other types of attaching means suitable for other types of gates, such as solid wood gates.

Latch rod 26 is vertically movable in its endwise direction between a lower latching position, shown in FIG. I, and an upper retracted or unlatching position.

In the latching position of the rod, its lower end projects below the lower rod bracket 30 for latching engagement in a latch socket 40 embedded in the ground in a position to receive the lower rod end when the gate 14 is in its closed, position. Engagement of the latch rod in the socket obviously latches the gate 14 in closed position.

Riveted on the upper end of the latch rod 26, above the upper rod bracket 28, is a latch yoke 42. This latch yoke is swingable about a transverse pivot axis of the rod substantially normal to the plane of gate 14. The yoke is swingable between its solid line latching position and its broken line retracted or unlatching position of FIG. 2. In latching position, the yoke 42 extends horizontally from the latch rod 26 in a direction away from and generally parallel to the plane of gate 14. In retracted position, the yoke is disposed upright above the rod.

In its latching position, the latch yoke 42 is disposed to straddle the outer edge 24 of gate 16 when in its closed position. Assuming the latch rod 26 is also in its latching position, the yoke then latches the gate 16 in closed postion owing to the fact that the rod is restrained against rotation on its longitudinal axis. Both gates 14, I6 arethus latched closed when the latch rod and yoke are in latching position. Gate 16 may be opened without unlatching gate 14 by simply swinging the latch yoke 42 to its retracted position. Both gates may be opened by retracting both the latch rod 26 and latch yoke 42 to unlatching position. The latch assembly includes means 43 for locking the latch rod 26 and latch yoke 42 in latching position and thereby the gates 14, 16 in closed position.

Referring in greater detail to the particular latch assembly illustrated, the latch rod 26 has a lower end portion 44 which may be of any desired cross-section and extends slidably through the lower bracket 30. The upper end portion 46 of the rod is flattened to a generally rectangular cross-section and extends slidably through a matching opening 48 in the upper bracket 28. The upper'rod end 46 and bracket opening 48 provide anti-rotation means for restraining the latch rod 26 against rotation on its longitudinal axis and locating the rod in an angular position wherein the upper rod end is located in a plane parallel to the plane of the gate 14. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper bracket 28 has a generally L-shaped bracket arm 50, one end 52 of which is horizontal and contains the latch rod opening 48. The other end 54 of the arm depends downwardly and seats against the outer vertical frame member 38 of the gate 14. The arm end 54 is cylindrically curved to seat flat against the frame member. Extending from the arm end 54 are a pair of diverging bracket attachment arms 56 whicb straddle the gate frame member 38. A U-bolt 58 extends about the side of the frame member 38 opposite the bracket 28 and is secured to the bracket attachment arms 56 to fix the bracket to the frame member. The arms 56 and U-bolt 58 thus constitute the upper bracket attachment means 32.

The latch yoke'42 has a pair of spaced, generally par.- allel arms 60 joined at one end by an arcuate connecting portion 62. Rigidly joined to and extending from this connecting portion in the opposite direction to the yoke arms 60 is a longitudinally slotted tongue 64.

Tongue 64 is located midway between and parallel to the yoke arms 60 and straddles the upper flat end 46 of the latch bar 26, above the upper bracket arm 50. The tongue is hinged to the rod by a pivot 66 for swingingon a transverse pivot axis of the rod normal to the plane of the yoke arms 60 and tongue 64 and gate 14.

It is now apparent that the latch rod 26 and yoke 42 are movable to their latching positions described earlier and shown in solid lines in the drawings to latch the gates 14, 16 inclosed positions. In these latching positions, the latch yoke rests on the upper horizontal bracket arm 50. Gate 16 is released to open without unlatching gate 14 by swinging the yoke upwardly to its broken line position of FIG. 2. Both gates are released to open by movement'of both the latch rod and latch yoke to unlatching position.

As noted earlier, the latch assembly has means 43 for locking the latch rod 26 and latch yoke 42 in latching position and thereby te gates 14, 12 in closed position,

This locking means comprises a ring 68 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the upper bracket arm and an opening 70 in the yoke tongue 64 which is aligned with the opening in the ring 68 when the yoke and rod are in latching position. These aligned openings are adapted to receive a lock 72 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. The lock obviously locks both the latch rod and latch yoke in latching position.

What is claimed as new in support of Letters Patent ISI l. A latch assembly for a hinged double gate structure including a pair of hinged gates swingable to and from closed positions wherein the gates are located substantially in a common plane with vertical edges of anti-rotation means for restraining said rod against rotation on its longitudinal axes relative to said bracket means,

a latch yoke including a pair of spaced yoke arms, a connecting portion joining said arms at one end, and a tongue extending from said connecting portion, and

means pivotally connecting said yoke tongue to the upper end of said rod on a pivot axis transverse to the rod for swinging of the yoke between a gate latching position wherein said yoke arms extend transversely of the rod for straddling said edge of the other gate and gate releasing position wherein said yoke arms extend generally longitudinally of said rod.

2. A gate latch assembly according to claim 1 includmeans for locking said latch yoke and latch bar in latching position.

3. A gate latch assembly according to claim 2' 6 complementing said bracket opening. 6. A gate latch .assembly according to claim 5 wherein:

said bracket means comprises upper and lower brackets, said non-circular rod portion comprises a flat upper end of said rod, said non-circular bracket opening extends through said upper bracket and receives said flat upperrod end, and said yoke tongue is pivotally attached to said flat upper rod end above said upper bracket. 7. A gate latch assembly according to claim 5 wherein:

said bracket means comprises upper and lower brackets,

said yoke is pivotally attached to the upper end of said rod above said upper bracket, and

said upper bracket has a surface on which said yoke is supported in said latching position of said yoke.

8. A gate latch assembly according to claim 7 wherein:

said upper rod end is flat,

said upper bracket has an opening receiving and complementing said flat upper rod end,

said flat upper rod end and said upper bracket rod opening constituting said anti-rotation means,

said yoke tongue and said bracket have openings which are aligned in said latching position of said yoke for receiving a lock for locking said yoke and rod in latching position.

* l =l =i 

1. A latch assembly for a hinged double gate structure including a pair of hinged gates swingable to and from closed positions wherein the gates are located substantially in a common plane with vertical edges of the gates adjacent one another comprising: a normally generally vertical latch rod having a normally upper end, mounting bracket means slidably receiving said rod including means for attaching said bracket means to said edge of one gate with said rod extending along the edge, anti-rotation means for restraining said rod against rotation on its longitudinal axes relative to said bracket means, a latch yoke including a pair of spaced yoke arms, a connecting portion joining said arms at one end, and a tongue extending from said connecting portion, and means pivotally connecting said yoke tongue to the upper end of said rod on a pivot axis transverse to the rod for swinging of the yoke between a gate latching position wherein said yoke arms extend transversely of the rod for straddling said edge of the other gate and gate releasing position wherein said yoke arms extend generally longitudinally of said rod.
 2. A gate latch assembly according to claim 1 including: means for locking said latch yoke and latch bar in latching position.
 3. A gate latch assembly according to claim 2 wherein: said yoke locking means comprises openings in said yoke and bracket means which are aligned in said latching position of the yoke for receiving a lock.
 4. A gate latch assembly according to claim 3 wherein: said bracket means comprises upper and lower brackets, and said lock receiving openings are in said yoke tongue and said upper bracket, respectively.
 5. A gate latch assembly according to claim 1 wherein: said anti-rotation means comprises a non-circular rod receiving opening in said bracket means and a non-circular portion of said rod extending through and complementing said bracket opening.
 6. A gate latch assembly according to claim 5 wherein: said bracket means comprises upper and lower brackets, said non-circular rod portion comprises a flat upper end of said rod, said non-circular bracket opening extends through said upper bracket and receives said flat upper rod end, and said yoke tongue is pivotally attached to said flat upper rod end above said upper bracket.
 7. A gate latch assembly according to claim 5 wherein: said bracket means comprises upper and lower brackets, said yoke is pivotally attached to the upper end of said rod above said upper bracket, and said upper bracket has a surface on which said yoke is supported in said latching position of said yoke.
 8. A gate latch assembly according to claim 7 wherein: said upper rod end is flat, said upper bracket has an opening receiving and complementing said flat upper rod end, said flat upper rod end and said upper bracket rod opening constituting said anti-rotation means, said yoke tongue and said bracket have openings which are aligned in said latching position of said yoke for receiving a lock for locking said yoke and rod in latching position. 